[REQ] Max possible depth indicator

[ygirouard]

Not sure if this would be possible, but it would be nice to know what is the max possible depth you could go to instead of just knowing the depth under keel at any given time. Having to calculate current depth + depth under keel to know how deep you can dive without crashing at the bottom is not always practical, especially in emergency situations.

I believe the navigators had maps which showed known depth to begin with (right?), but all we have in the game as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong) are shaded areas that more or less indicate shallow waters versus deeper ones, but doesn't show any numbers on the depth there.

Maybe a new command could be added so the navigator could just print the max possible depth in the message box (not the limit of the sub, but the actual known depth at your location)?

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by ygirouard

Not sure if this would be possible, but it would be nice to know what is the max possible depth you could go to instead of just knowing the depth under keel at any given time. Having to calculate current depth + depth under keel to know how deep you can dive without crashing at the bottom is not always practical, especially in emergency situations.

I believe the navigators had maps which showed known depth to begin with (right?), but all we have in the game as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong) are shaded areas that more or less indicate shallow waters versus deeper ones, but doesn't show any numbers on the depth there.

Maybe a new command could be added so the navigator could just print the max possible depth in the message box (not the limit of the sub, but the actual known depth at your location)?

This is a good idea. I'd have to add a new command to the game (have already done this many times) for this. I know how to get max depth for location in the sh5.exe...it's doable After initiating the command I'd have it write max depth at location is x (rounding the value to nearest tens).

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of the depth under keel command? I mean this would be a cheat instead of using the depth under keel command and possibly giving your position away.

[ygirouard]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

This is a good idea. I'd have to add a new command to the game (have already done this many times) for this. I know how to get max depth for location in the sh5.exe...it's doable

Would be awesome if you could do it in your NewUI mod or just release a separate add-on mod, whichever works best for you.

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by ygirouard

Would be awesome if you could do it in your NewUI mod or just release a separate add-on mod, whichever works best for you.

I really don't think they had charts back then that told them what the depth was at their location If they did then I will add this. If they didn't then it's a cheat and I won't add it.

[ygirouard]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of the depth under keel command?

No it doesn't... because it's also good to know how close to the bottom you are without having to calculate it mentally.

So if I'm say at 20 meters depth, and want to know how deep I can crash dive, I can use your new feature.

If I'm already deep and want to move forward and want to make sure I don't hit the bottom somewhere, I can use depth under keel to know if I'm about to scrape the bottom or not.

[ygirouard]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

I really don't think they had charts back then that told them what the depth was at their location If they did then I will add this. If they didn't then it's a cheat and I won't add it.

Fair enough. I'm not sure either, but it wouldn't be a cheat though... If you know your depth and you know the depth under keel, then you could calculate it. The feature I'm asking for is just a shortcut so the Navigator calculates it for you in a blink.

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by ygirouard

Fair enough. I'm not sure either, but it wouldn't be a cheat though... If you know your depth and you know the depth under keel, then you could calculate it. The feature I'm asking is just a shortcut so the Navigator calculates it for you in a blink.

I understand what you're asking. But using the depth under keel feature of the game can possibly give away your position and thus discretion has to be used when deciding to use it. Giving you a way to avoid detection while still getting depth under keel would be a cheat.

[TheDarkWraith]

Now if I could find a way to tell the game to execute the depth under keel command, take it's result, and add your current depth to it and then display the result in the messagebox I will (via a new game command)

[ygirouard]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

I understand what you're asking. But using the depth under keel feature of the game can possibly give away your position and thus discretion has to be used when deciding to use it. Giving you a way to avoid detection while still getting depth under keel would be a cheat.

I see what you mean. But how's this: Why not just send a ping to get depth under keel, and then have the navigator say something more to calculate the max depth. Or, just modify the depth under keel command to print 2 lines:

* Ping *
Depth under keel is XXX meters.
Max possible depth is XXX meters.

That would work and wouldn't change any of the current detection mechanic (or bypass it). You'd still have to be careful using it like you said.

EDIT: LOL, looks like our thought process was the same here... you were just quicker suggesting it.

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by ygirouard

I see what you mean. But how's this: Why not just send a ping to get depth under keel, and then hav ethe navigator say something more to calculate the max depth. Or, just modify the depth under keel command to print 2 lines:

* Ping *
Depth under keel is XXX meters.
Max possible depth is XXX meters.

That would work and wouldn't change any of the current detection mechanic (or bypass it). You'd still have to be careful using it like you said.

EDIT: LOL, looks like our thought process was the same here... you were just quicker suggesting it.

That's a great idea of modifying the depth under keel command's return value and easy to make a patch for

[Sartoris]

Love this new idea, it would be very useful.

[gap]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

I really don't think they had charts back then that told them what the depth was at their location If they did then I will add this. If they didn't then it's a cheat and I won't add it.

I think Kriegsmarine had pretty detailed bathymetric charts at least of the most strategical ocean zones. See the download section of kartengruppe.it for some examples.

With this premise in mind, how about another command (designed over Real Navigation) returning the max depth at the last known position? It would come in handy when we need for rough depth data, without giving up our position. At the same moment it wouldn't be a cheat and it wouldn't replace echolot measured depths for the following reasons:

- need to wait for an update of our position fix;
- approximation coming from position's randomization.

Rethinking about it, we wouldn't even need for a new command in order to implement this idea. It would suffice if depth at the given point was reported on the message box or on map, together with each dead reckoning / celestial fix

[TheDarkWraith]

When this patch is enabled and you ask for depth under keel you will see the max dive depth for the current location and the depth under keel

I made this a new entry in the menu.txt file:
4724=Max dive depth is %.0f %s, captain!

New version of patcher coming soon...

[TheDarkWraith]

Originally Posted by gap

With this premise in mind, how about another command (designed over Real Navigation) returning the max depth at the last known position? It would come in handy when we need for rough depth data, without giving up our position. At the same moment it wouldn't be a cheat and it wouldn't replace echolot measured depths for the following reasons:

- need to wait for an update of our position fix;
- approximation coming from position's randomization.

Rethinking about it, we wouldn't even need for a new command in order to implement this idea. It would suffice if depth at the given point was reported on the message box or on map, together with each dead reckoning / celestial fix

Some good ideas. I'll think it over...

[ygirouard]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

When this patch is enabled and you ask for depth under keel you will see the max dive depth for the current location and the depth under keel

I made this a new entry in the menu.txt file:
4724=Max dive depth is %.0f %s, captain!

New version of patcher coming soon...

Wow man you rock! That was fast!